Florida 1st District
Jimmy Patronis (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Jimmy Patronis
Republican · holds this seat today
A-Liberty Score A-On the liberty side in 37 of 40 votes and bills.
Raised $4,467,313 since January 2025: 81% from people, 15% from PACs and other committees, 4% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Gay Valimont
Democrat · gun violence prevention activist, former athletic trainer
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Valimont, and what Valimont has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 26. A grade needs 4.
Raised $295,714 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Florida: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Gay Valimont, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Valimont, so the grade above comes from this list: what Valimont has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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In a 2025 session with a progressive Democrats group she criticised Trump's plan for Gaza and said Palestinians are not Hamas.
“The Palestinians are not Hamas and they have paid the price for what Hamas did.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She names no policy on weapons, aid or the war itself, so the line does not settle the free nations test either way.
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In 2025 she said Ukraine had been invaded by Russia in a land grab, and asked whether you would want your friend to help if a neighbor tried to steal your land.
“They have been invaded by Russia in a land grab,”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling for friends to help a country invaded by Russia is with liberty on free nations; the page puts the answer in the Russia-Ukraine war section.
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Her campaign Priorities page says tariffs have hurt Florida farmers.
“Tariffs have hurt Florida farmers.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Broad tariffs are against liberty on free markets, so treating them as a harm is on the with side.
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Her campaign Priorities page supports federal legislation to cut home insurance rates by at least 25 percent.
“Gay will push for homeowner relief, including supporting federal legislation to cut insurance rates by at least 25%.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A law that sets how much insurance rates must fall is a price control, which is against liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign Priorities page says she will fight for universal health care but does not say how it would be run or paid for.
“Gay will fight for universal, affordable, quality healthcare.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Universal coverage could be government-run or not; the line names no program, so it does not settle the measure alone.
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Her campaign Priorities page promises resources for military families, such as childcare, spouse training and better infrastructure around bases, without naming a defence budget.
“Gay will fight for resources that support military families, including expanding childcare, training programs for spouses and family members, and better infrastructure around our military bases.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Support for families and bases names no defence budget level, so it does not settle the defense test.
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Her campaign Priorities page backs border security through technology and more immigration judges.
“Gay supports border security through better technology and more judges.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Supporting a secure border is with liberty on borders, though she names no wall or deportations.
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Her campaign Priorities page says she believes in a clear, legal path to citizenship.
“Gay believes in creating a clear, legal path to citizenship to ensure our neighbors can fully contribute to our economy and communities.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for those here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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Her campaign Priorities page says border security, fentanyl control and humane treatment of refugee seekers and Dreamers can go together.
“We can strengthen border security, keep fentanyl out, and ensure refugee seekers and Dreamers are treated humanely and with dignity.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Humane treatment names no legal status, deportation rule or enforcement step, so it does not settle the measure alone.
Also on the ballot
Tyler Davis (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Florida 1st District
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